Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 6, Week 7: 5 Winners, Only 4 Contracts Earned

Last week we was a third week in a row where all 5 winners were awarded with UFC contracts.

Here are the results for the 7th week.episode for season 6 of the Dana White Contender Series.

First fight of the night was between Tereza Bledá (5-0) vs. Nayara Maia (7-0-1) at women’s flyweight.

The early striking from Maia was met with a quick takedown from Bleda. Both fighters attacked leg locks for a moment, but after scrambling for position, Bleda ended up on top in full guard. Maia was active from her back with submissions, but Bleda maintained top position and landed a few strikes until a wild scramble before the end of the round.

The ringside doctor checked on Maia’s vision between rounds, but the fight continued. After exchanging a couple of strikes, Maia brought the fight to the mat. Bleda worked back to her feet and began landing sharp jabs before reversing a takedown and taking top position. She landed a few heavy close strikes while keeping top control until the round concluded.

Bleda’s sharp punching prompted another takedown attempt, but Maia found herself working from her back. Similar to the first two rounds, Bleda maintained top control while landing short strikes and shutting down submission attempts. Maia got back to her feet momentarily but was put back down from strikes, nearly causing the referee to stop the fight. However, it would see the final horn with Bleda on top.

Result: Tereza Bleda def. Nayara Maia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

The second fight of the night was between Ismael Bonfirm (17-3) vs. Nariman Abbasov (28-3) at Lightweight.

These two wasted little time getting after it with hard punches. Furious exchanges were early in this one, but Bonfim’s shots to the body were the difference maker. Abbasov was knocked to the mat by a hard punch, but got back to his feet to clinch. Bonfim kept the pressure high, continuing to go to the body, as Abbasov fired back until the end of a high-paced opening round.

The action continued in the second, with Bonfirm leading exchanges consisting of punches upstairs and to the body. Abbasov hung tough and returned fire, but his best attempts were blocked or evaded. Another strong round for Bonfim.

Abbasov circled on the outside as Bonfim continued to control the range and pace of the fight. Abbasov charged forward in the closing moments hoping to change the fight’s outcome, but Bonfim was quick to evade and return fire. One takedown in the closing moments sealed the performance for Bonfim.

Result: Ismael Bonfim def. Nariman Abbasov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

The third fight of the night was at Heavyweight between Karl Williams (6-1) vs. Jimmy Lawson (4-1)

After both offered early strikes on the feet, Williams secured a big takedown to slow things down and take top control. Lawson worked back to his feet, but Williams maintained control and brought his opponent back to the mat to control him on the canvas for the remainder of the round.

Williams found the opening for a takedown after charging forward with punches and brought Lawson back down to the ground. After controlling from the top for a couple of minutes, Lawson was able to reverse. Williams attempted to escape the position and Lawson jumped on a leg lock attempt, but it wasn’t there.

Lawson turned up the aggression in the final round, but couldn’t quite find the range he needed to change the course of the fight before Williams secured another takedown. From there, it was one-way traffic. Williams kept top position and shut down any hopes of Lawson pulling off a comeback win.

Result: Karl Williams def. Jimmy Lawson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The fourth fight for the night was between Trey Waters (6-0) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (12-0) at welterweight.

Punches flew early and often to start this one. Despite being at a reach disadvantage, Bonfim had no problem finding the chin of Waters. After exchanging punches with the taller Waters, Bonfim changed levels for a takedown. Waters countered with a guillotine choke, but Bonfim was able to get to side control and lock in the Von Flue and force a tap. Bonfim was impressive on the feet and on the mat.

Result: Gabriel Bonfim def. Trey Waters via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 4:13

The fifth and final fight was held at Light Heavyweight between Rodolfo Bellato (8-1) vs. Vitor Petrino (6-0).

A few heavy punches were traded early, with Petrino winging big hooks. Bellato looked for a takedown, but was reversed. Bellato attempted a triangle, but was lifted and slammed to the canvas for his submission effort. Back on the feet, Petrino continued work behind a powerful jab, but Bellato connected on a hard right hand. Petrino wobbled to the canvas and Bellato jumped on his back. A moment later, Petrino reversed position and ended the round on top.

Petrino came out firing, leading to Bellato slowing things down with a clinch. After separating, Petrino continued to let his hands go often. Bellato attempted a spinning backfist, but Petrino saw it coming and landed a beautiful counter to put his opponent out cold.

Result: Vitor Petrino def. Rodolfo Bellato via knockout (punch) – Round 2.

The fighters who were awarded UFC contracts by UFC President Dana White are listed below.

Contracts earned:
Ismael Bonfim
Karl Williams
Gabriel Bonfim
Vitor Petrino

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